Quote :

"ttc? jesus can we come up with MORE obscure acronyms????"

yeah i had to ask what that meant a few pages back. i have no idea what that list is.

11/2/2011 11:00:25 AM

Ugh yeah I hate the bajillion acronyms people come up with for anything baby related.

11/2/2011 11:19:04 AM

I got together with some girlfriends and talked about acronyms for baby related stuff. I could not tell you what any of those in that list mean and I did have to ask what ttc meant. One girl in our group filled me in.

Here is a hug se7entythree now that I know what ttc means! It does take time sometimes and I don't know how long you have been off birth control but I know it took Ken and me 8 months after getting off mirena to conceive Orion.

11/2/2011 3:46:41 PM

The less acronyms you have to know about pregnancy the better, at least IMO.

11/2/2011 4:03:10 PM

thanks for the hug i quit trisprintec (generic orthotricyclen) in march. started trying in july. skipped august.

so i said my period started, bc i thought it was, but really i've just been doing this weird super light spotting thing since sunday. i wouldn't have known anything was going on if i didn't already have a tampon in expecting a normal period.*real* period is now 3 days overdue. pregnancy test said no. wtf

[Edited on November 2, 2011 at 4:13 PM. Reason : ]

11/2/2011 4:13:08 PM

did you take the test in the morning? (I'm sure you did) Still might be too soon though.

I could use an acronym here but I'll refrain

11/2/2011 5:18:43 PM

EPTITMO

11/2/2011 5:20:56 PM

James Brantley was born on 10/29/11 after 40 hours (yes 40!) of labor via c-section. He was 7lbs 4oz and 20 inches long. Had some issues and spent 3 days in Special Care Nursery before coming home.

11/2/2011 8:29:47 PM

He's beautiful! Congratulations!!

11/2/2011 8:59:20 PM

Look at that face congratulations! And 40 hours?! Wow mama!!

And I really like his middle name.

11/2/2011 9:15:32 PM

look at that little guy and a perfect little head. So cute!

11/2/2011 11:13:48 PM

congrats TotalEclipse! sooo cute. did grandma get to meet him?

11/3/2011 8:19:49 AM

40 hours? Sheesh. Good job making it through!

11/3/2011 9:20:51 AM

I could write a dissertation on my labor. His birth story is quite long. We're glad he's FINALLY home.

elkaybie - we're calling him Brantley!

se7entythree - Unfortuantely she didn't get to meet him. She DID however get to see pictures and they were on her bedside table for the last days. He was born on Saturday, Sunday was a good day for her and she was able to see the pictures, know it was him, understand and from what mom says she had a BIG smile on her face. She passed away on Tuesday at 1:20pm. We brought him home at 6:30 that night. Her funeral was yesterday. It's been a pretty emptional week for me and family, but we're getting through it.

Now - if we could just get him to sleep in his crib. He loves the car seat and the bouncer, but the crib he hasn't taken to yet. And if we can just get this breastfeeding thing down. I'm having a friends mother who was a labor/delivery nurse and birthing class teacher come over today to help. Supposedly she's worked wonders with others on breastfeeding, hopefully she can tell me what I'm doing wrong.

11/3/2011 9:21:00 AM

1)Sleep him wherever the heck he wants. It's way too early IMO to care. You all need your sleep.

2)You won't kill your kids with formula. I know from experience how fucking stressful not successfully breastfeeding can be for everyone. Switching to formula and stopping that debacle was the best decision I made. Don't listen to all the doulas and "lactation consultants" telling you how awesome your latch is when it isn't working at all. Those women are mental and will say anything to make you think that A)you just need to let him tear your nipples up for another few weeks and it'll all be OK and B)if you give him formula instead of breastmilk he'll be retarded, obese, asthmatic, autistic, and whatever other unsubstantiated garbage they can think of. I'm not trying to convince you to switch, just trying to remind you that you have no reason to hate yourself if you do.

[Edited on November 3, 2011 at 9:26 AM. Reason : .]

11/3/2011 9:25:33 AM

^^oh man i'm sorry to hear that. i'm glad she got to see pictures though.

11/3/2011 9:31:55 AM

when my wife gets a big pregnant belly, i want to take side-by-side pictures of our stomachs

11/3/2011 10:30:44 AM

^^^ At this point he is sleeping whereever he falls asleep. After that first night as long as he's happy great. It would just be nice to be able to get him to, at some point, sleep in the crib or pack and play. Not pushing it right now - as long as he's sleeping we are happy campers.

I'm supplementing with formula right now. Have to because of some glucose issues, but I also want to breastfeed as well. I'm trying to do a combination of both. Thankfully, I think we have the latch issues down. The lady coming today is not at all one those women (thank god) and also told me it was perfectly ok to supplement.

Really, we're just trying to learn at this point. He's only 4 days old so we're getting used to each other and what's gonna work and what isn't.

[Edited on November 3, 2011 at 11:32 AM. Reason : ^]

11/3/2011 11:29:58 AM

Right on.

For us, I think it was about at 2 weeks where we started trying putting them in the crib but even then most nights we gave up and put them in the bouncy or swing when they woke up in the middle of the night until they were probably 2 months old. After that they just got used to the crib for long enough stretches that we weren't going bonkers and then finally they slept through the night.

11/3/2011 11:50:46 AM

Quote :

"did you take the test in the morning? (I'm sure you did) Still might be too soon though."

yeah i did. and it started today. and my uterus is extremely angry.

11/3/2011 1:12:24 PM

Quote :

"^^^ At this point he is sleeping whereever he falls asleep. After that first night as long as he's happy great. It would just be nice to be able to get him to, at some point, sleep in the crib or pack and play. Not pushing it right now - as long as he's sleeping we are happy campers."

For perespective...Ryan will be 4 months tomorrow and in the past three weeks I've been consistently getting him to sleep in his crib. Before then it was carseat, bouncy, or swing. Bouncy a lot in his first few weeks, followed by bouncy & swing, then swing & carseat, to swing & crib, to crib & carseat, back to swing & crib, to full on crib.

And while I agree with discostu to not let it bother you if you supplement with formula...I definitely don't think lactation consultants are "mental." Or any doctor or nurse that can help with latch issues. Ryan is tongue tied...which can make a good latch damn near impossible and very painful. It took a few tries to get a good one each session and a few weeks to really get in to a rhythm. If there's a la leche group near you they may be helpful as well. You can try nipple shields too...or pumping exclusively and giving him breastmilk from a bottle. You'll figure out what's right for you guys.

And I love y'all are calling him Brantley! And glad your grandma got to see pics.



^ angry uterus boooooooo

[Edited on November 3, 2011 at 2:39 PM. Reason : Phone fingers]

11/3/2011 2:29:19 PM

Congrats, TotalEclipse!!

11/3/2011 6:19:43 PM

Going back to the doctor today and crossing fingers for weight gain. He was 7lbs 4oz at birth, and 7lbs when he left the hospital. The next day (wed) he was 6 lbs 14 and on Friday the same, so they are concerned that he didn't gain any weight back between leaving the hospital and Friday. I think alot of the weight loss between discharge and the next day is because they took him off the sugar water they had in his IV which decreased his fluid levels. I'm more concerned that he's been feeding and not gained, but my milk didn't come in till Thursday either. I've been feeding every 2 to 2.5 hours and supplementing twice a day with about an oz of formula per discharge orders from hospital, so I'm hoping it's working. I'm not sure I'm making enough milk. They asked me to pump after a couple of feedings to see if he's emptying and I'm not getting anything significant out (less then .5 oz) He is having wets and dirties.

Either way I think I'll feed him what I can from me and increase the supplemental feedings if I have to.

[Edited on November 7, 2011 at 7:51 AM. Reason : add]

11/7/2011 7:50:38 AM

Man, I wish doctors wouldn't make us so worried about our breastfed babies. ALL breastfed babies lose a good amount of weight the first couple of weeks after leaving the hospital and being a first time mom and hearing the panic in a doctors voice doesn't make matters any better. I had to supplement with Maya. And also most moms don't pump that much after the baby has fed especially if he is emptying that jammie out.

TotalEclipse I hope this doesn't make you panic and even cry like it did me. I was a wreck the first few weeks after bringing Maya home that I wasn't able to enjoy her as much as I did when I brought Orion home. Wet and dirties is the key. That baby should be peeing and pooping like 8+ times a day...more so peeing because breastfed babies don't poop as much. I just hope you are able to enjoy Brantley! I hope he gains the "adequate" amount of weight.

11/7/2011 9:37:50 AM

Fingers crossed for you! But it sounds like he is if he has plenty of wet and dirty diapers. I would often get less than half an oz after a feed as well in the beginning (I immediately started pumping to create a storage supply in case I got sick and a weekend that I knew I would be away from him). Freaked me out too that I might not be making enough. A breastfeeding friend encouraged and reminded me that 1-2 oz might be all he needs that early on and to count the diapers. Continued feedings 1.5 - 2.5 hrs and pumping upped my supply.

And I found out a ~1 mo ago that stress can really put a damper on your supply. You've had a lot going on it sounds like aside from just being a new mom which is tiring and stressful enough. Again...diaper count--let that encourage you and know he's getting what he needs from you or from you and the supplements. I hope today's weight check in will back that up and give you the confidence that you're doing great!

^agreed!!

See TE, it's happened to all of us. Ryan lost too (9 oz iirc) until my milk came in. And the docs really freaked me out.


Our little guy's 4 mo appt is today. He's ready I'm sure but I am not for his shots.

[Edited on November 7, 2011 at 9:53 AM. Reason : ]

11/7/2011 9:49:27 AM

I'm countnig wets and dirties. He's having 8+ a day of both. Kid is a pooping machine (goes almost every feed). It's nice to hear that I am not the only person in the world that doctors have stressed over the weight loss stuff.

I can't tell you how helpful this thread is. I always know I can get good advice and encouragement.

11/7/2011 12:37:35 PM

my sister in law has breastfed her 2 babies (born july 2011 & nov 2009) & the docs at UNC told her to expect some weightloss at first. i haven't had kids, but it doesn't sound like your situation is abnormal at all

11/7/2011 1:08:22 PM

Pooping every feed? Reminds me of my little guy! I thought he was going for a world record on baby poop lol

You're doing great...keep it up!

11/7/2011 1:11:13 PM

update: Little monkey is now a chunky monkey. He gained 6 oz in two days - yes 6! We can stop supplementing now (unless we want to) and can start on demand feeding at night.

I also want to start building a supply. My question is - how to get started pumping? I'm still feeding every two hours during the day and that usually takes about 30 minutes. He's emptying the breasts. When do you pump to actually get any milk? I want to be able to have enough that if we go out to dinner and a movie the grandparents can feed him.

11/7/2011 3:35:53 PM

I know there is a whole thread for pictures, but I love this one and wanted to share so badly.

11/7/2011 4:48:59 PM

^love! I've loved all the pics you've posted so far. he's a cutie

Quote :

"how to get started pumping? I'm still feeding every two hours during the day and that usually takes about 30 minutes. He's emptying the breasts. When do you pump to actually get any milk? I want to be able to have enough that if we go out to dinner and a movie the grandparents can feed him."

what I did was pump 30 minutes to an hour after a feeding session. since breastfeeding works on supply and demand, the more i pumped the more supply. also at night, when i was more full, he would usually stop feeding after one breast, so i would stay up to pump the other. this was by far the most effective for me. during the day i'd get 1-2 oz (boo) but at night i would get 3-4 oz.

now that i've got decent stash i'm pretty lazy when it comes to pumping and only pump when i'm away from him...but we're going to start introducing rice cereal soon, so when we feed him that i'll pump.


so yeah! 4 month stats 16 lbs 9 oz (75%) and 26 1/4" long (95%!!)

11/7/2011 5:52:08 PM

congrats on the healthy babies

somebody please answer this question for me. do i start counting days to ovulation from the first day of spotting or first day of full flow? i've read a bunch of different websites and they seem to be equally split.

11/7/2011 7:34:12 PM

I always did the first day I noticed blood, unless the spotting is just really minimal, then I wait until the next day.

11/7/2011 9:06:33 PM

keep in mind, not every woman ovulates around the 14th day mark.. I know that might be a "thank you, captain obvious" but I think people would be surprised at how many women don't fall right around that area

Also, something the repro doc told us was many couples will try to conceive on the day of ovulation. You're more likely to be successful if you try to conceive a day or two before ovulation since the sperm will be hanging out and they won't miss the egg.

[Edited on November 7, 2011 at 10:59 PM. Reason : .]

11/7/2011 10:58:26 PM

oh we start "trying" every other day about 5-6 days before the estimated ovulation day. and yeah i know not everyone is 14 days, but i'm trying to figure out which day to start counting from bc the last 2 periods i've done this spotting thing for 2-3 days before a full flow normal period starts. i'd never had this spotting deal before then.

maybe i'll just call & ask the doc whether i should start counting w/ the spots...but a bunch of people on various internet forums did the same & got varying answers. so maybe we'll just extend the every other day schedule by a few days

11/7/2011 11:15:44 PM

There's this really cool watch he was telling us about that's pretty accurate as far as telling you the time you specifically are ovulating... I might be able to find out the name of it for you if you want (buttt I'm not sure how much it costs)

And I think it's pink

11/7/2011 11:37:16 PM

http://www.amazon.com/OV-Watch-Fertility-Predictor-Starter-Sensors/dp/B000K6IQ3W ?

11/8/2011 8:32:20 AM

http://www.amazon.com/Taking-Charge-Your-Fertility-Anniversary/dp/0060881909/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1320764351&sr=1-1

This was my bible when we were TTC. We pinpointed ovulation by measuring my basal body temperature (BBT) every morning at the same time. Slight changes in temp indicate ovulation. I used http://www.fertilityfriend.com/ to help me chart the temps and the rest was easy-peasy. I was pregnant within a month BOTH times I used this method.

*Also, I always count the first day of actual flow as CD1. Spotting isn't CD1 in my opinion - it signals the last day of your last cycle.

[Edited on November 8, 2011 at 10:07 AM. Reason : *]

11/8/2011 10:03:41 AM

I wish the best of luck to those of you who are trying to conceive... (or TTC as you people put it) I know a lot of people who have had trouble.

We lucked out... We tried and she got pregnant after the first try (at least in my mind it was the first try!) back in August. we are excited and can't wait to see if it's a boy or girl.

11/8/2011 11:32:58 AM

^yay! congrats!

11/8/2011 11:52:14 AM

Congrats smath!


Yeah, seventythree... I know it doesn't have the best reviews but we looked at the studies for when they created the watch and it actually has the best results for finding your ovulation time

11/8/2011 1:50:06 PM

hmm. well, i picked up a 30 day ovulation kit at rite aid at lunch time. we'll see how that goes.

11/8/2011 2:16:20 PM

Congrats Smath!!

11/8/2011 8:50:20 PM

Congrats Smath!

11/8/2011 9:49:29 PM

thank you! we are excited!

11/10/2011 7:55:00 AM

oh, sorry, where are my manners? CONGRATS!

11/10/2011 10:27:30 AM

Question: My husband and I want to start having a date night next week. I am anticipating that little man will need to be fed once while I'm gone. I've started pumping, but how much do you pumping mommas typically give in one feeding? 2oz? 3oz?

Also, I want to go to my husbands basketball game next week. Am I ok to take room temp milk? It says on Kelly mom it's good for 10 hours. Any experience with this?

[Edited on November 10, 2011 at 5:37 PM. Reason : add]

11/10/2011 5:12:25 PM

I would try to take 3 oz just to make sure that is enough but that is prob def more than enough.

Also, the 10 hour thing is correct as far as I know. I have taken room temp milk many times and it be hours before feeding (ex. at church or car rides to see inlaws). I just make sure I don't have it near heat sources and if it is much longer than the span of time before feeding, there are ice pack cooler awesomeness that are sold near the pump milk bag/bottles that are compact enough so you aren't carrying a ton of extra baby stuff.

Man! Orion LOVES butternut squash and apple sauce mixed together.

11/10/2011 8:13:49 PM

Agree 3oz should def do the trick

We tried giving Ryan rice cereal tonight...expression was hilarious! Most of it ended up on him. We'll try again in a few days.

11/10/2011 9:08:56 PM

Thanks! I am sure I'll have more questions about milk issues, but I'm excited to be able to actually get out of the house.

11/11/2011 8:56:08 AM